PANAJI
The Education Department has directed government and government-aided schools, designated as polling stations, to identify planting areas on their respective premises for planting saplings.
The directions come in view of the Goa Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) proposal to plant five saplings including medicinal and fruit-bearing plants, at each polling booth totalling 1725, located across the State.
“Heads of all government and government-aided schools which are notified as polling stations for the upcoming general elections to Lok Sabha 2024 are hereby directed to identify the planting areas and the same may be clearly demarcated preferably by white chalk powder and shown to the BLO (Booth Level Officers) of the areas,” reads the circular by Education Director Shailesh Zingde.
The polling team will reach the allotted booths one day prior to the scheduled date of polling, May 7, and BLOs who will keep the saplings at the respective booths, will assist the former to carry out the plantation drive.
“Each polling station aims to plant a minimum of five saplings, conveying a message of a greener environment and to create awareness towards one’s love for nature. The maintenance of the sapling at the polling stations (schools) will be taken care of by the respective teachers of the school,” it said.
